India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
